Thank you all so much for your kind and supportive words on Tuesday’s post. I should have known that you’d all be on my side and I didn’t have to worry about negative reactions to taking some time off. I’m still feeling really good about my decision, especially since my lunchtime walks have been SO NICE this week.

While this is the time of year when many runners are really starting to enjoy outdoor running again due to increased daylight hours and warmer temperatures, I’m just now taking time off from running for at least the next three weeks. In an effort to maintain some fitness and still get to spend time outside, I’ve been taking long, rambling walks on my lunch break. Ironically, these walks have been along some of my typical running routes.

While in the past this might have served to make me anxious or resentful about not running, I’m really enjoying the slower pace. I feel more entitled to stop and take pictures because it won’t “mess up my pace.” I can take my time picking my way over icy bits, or stop to pat dogs running by. There’s no pressure to hit a certain distance in a certain time. I can enjoy the sun on my face and the wind on my hair. That’s not to say that I’m just poking along, though; I’m keeping up a pretty brisk pace. I’m naturally a fast walker and I HATE walking slowly. I’m almost physically incapable of taking a “stroll,” something Ben is always harassing me about.

And even though it’s not the same as running, I’m getting a lot of the same happy feelings I get from running. It’s different, but a good different. I think if I keep up with my lunchtime walks, not running won’t be as much of a hardship as it might be otherwise.

When is the last time you took a nice long walk?